Apart from abortive Citroen BX4TC, Ford's RS200 was the most short-lived Group B rally car. It was technically ready for competition by fall of 1985 but as homologation wasn't ready until February 1986, it's competitive debut came in 1986 Swedish Rally and career in WRC ended after just four rallies. Due to it's short career, no evolution version was ever brought out though one was in development. It would have had 580 horsepower (much better but still less than opposition) and weight reduced to the limit set by the regulations.

RS200 sported some radical ideas. It had the best weight distribution of all Group B cars - 49/51 front/rear - because engine was at back while gearbox was at front. This solution, though it provided excellent weight distribution, also called two long propshafts, one from engine to gearbox and one from gearbox to rear differential. Another radical idea was use of double dampers on each corner, giving the car the best possible ride on all conditions.